New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 6, 1917, Page 3

, 10L7. | " Boston Store The New Spring Goods are beginning to arrive The Linden Percales . Have Just Come in. Some very stylish designs | are shown in wide stripes and large dots. as. well as the, smaller effects. This is the! best make of Percales on' the | market today 36-inch wide. | 17c a Yard. See the Swell Creations in Printed Poplins, at 25¢ a Yd. BLAZER STRIPES are among the popular novel- ties of the season. 19¢ a Yard. . BEACH CLOTH In wide stripes and large dots, very stunning. 25¢ a Yard ‘PULLAR & NIVEN - EVERY 9TH PERSON INSTATE HAS PHONE! . 0. N. E. Reports Show Best Bus- ness” in History ———— (Special to the Herald.) Haven, Feb. 6.—The annual “ meeting of the stockholaers of The Southern’ New England Telephone company was held at the Telephone building this afternoon. The only business of the meeting was that of acting upon the annual report of the company and the election of direc- tors for the coming year. The present directors were re-elected. They are: Lyman B Jewell, James English, A. Heaton Robertson, John W. Alling, Theodore N. Vail, James T. Moran, Victor Morris Tyler, William H. Hen- ney, Charles E. Lyman, Augustus H. Bullard, Charles G. DuBois and Harry C. Knight. New The Report. The substance of the report for the year 1916 is as follows: From beginning to end the year proved to be the most active in the . history of the business. The tre- mendous - expansion, which prevailed without cessation in practically all lines of industry and commerce, was reflected in the telephone business by an unprecedented public demand for service and facilities, with the natural result that a substantially increased i Income was coupled with extraordi- nary expenditures in plant and oper- ation. These conditions are indicated In some measure by the balance sheet, Income statement and table of stati tics which appear at the end of this report. The total number of stations of all kinds in service at the close of tha ..apar was 137,369 or one telephone for ,every nine of population. The in- crease for the year was 12,809, a rec- ord figure exceeding the highest pre- vious yearly increase of 10,647 sta- tions, obtained in 1906, by 2,162. Ot the total, 135,504 staticns are operat- ed directly by -the company, while the balance is made up of miscel- laneous stations including those of rmall connecting companies within the state. The number of exchange ‘circuits required to connect the sta- tions with the various central offices * Increased from 57,667 to 67,209 or 16.6 per cent. as compared with the Increase of 10.3 per cent. in stations operated directly by the company Local traffic, or calls between sub- scribers within the same exchange in- creased from 605,419 per day to 672 922, a gain of 67.503 daily local con- nections or 11.2 per ~ent. It will be noted that this increase in local traffic, just as the increase in ex- | change circuits, was proportionately greater than the increase in stations, | and that consequently the problem of the company was not merely that of | providing facilities for the large num- | der of new subscribers but that of caring for a greatly increased usage of service by all subscribers. Toll traffic showed the even greater re- lative increase of 19.7 per cent. The necessity of central office en- largements and additions has heen and will be coincident with a similar nec; essity for providing additional outside plant in the form of condult, poles, cables, wire, etc. The enormous re- quirements in this direction are indi- ‘“ated by the fact that during 1916 the wire mileage of the company’'s plant increased from 350,269 miles to THE CURRANDRY GOODS CO. | Housefurnishing Sale —Extraordinary— s Our Ready-to-Wear Department has outgrown its present space and our Dry Goods and Underwear business is crowded for space, we are obliged to discontinue our Housefurnishing Dept. to make room for, other de- partments that must have more room at once.; hence we offer our entire stock of Housefurnishings AT A SACRIFICE to Close it out quickly. kBelow Are a Few of the Values: Extra Speciai in WASH BOILERS Soap Free Special Tin Boil = ndngc (Heavy Tin Boilers, worth 1.25. -Special ookt OBc Extra Heavy Boilers worth ara $1.98 Special at 6 Bars of Bee Laundry Soap free with each Wash Boiler Big Paint and Varnish Special Regular 10c and 15¢ cans. Special at ... ... 7C Paint.and Varnish Brushes- "15¢ and 20c values. Special at . ... .. 8C Extra Big Specialin a Bread Mixer ‘worth $1 .00 $1.69 at OIL MOPS that sold at 39¢ and 50c. Special 2 5 c at . . Heavy Sheet Steel Roasters - worth 50¢ to 69c. Assorted sizes 2 5 c Special at . . Globes for Gas Fixtures worth 1215¢. Special at ...... 8c Large Size Aluminum Tea Kettles worth $3.00. ... $1.98 Special . .. Extra Special at 19¢c Gray Enamel Ware, white and blue ware, in large size items, like Berlin Kettles, Sauce Pans, Fry Preserving Kettles and many other good items. The items are worth 25¢ 40c each. SPECIAL AT 19 c Extra Special at 39¢ White and Blue and White Lined Enamel Ware, in large pieces, worth 59c to 89¢ each SPECIAL AT 39C Special at 8¢ |- Enamel Ware to close A Big Assortment of Gray from 10c to 19c values SPECIAL AT 8 c Extra Special at 4c Hundreds of useful kitchen items in Enamel Ware, Tinware, Aluminum Ware and Wire Ware, 5c to 10c value 4c SPECIAL AT Extra Special in Oil Mops, $1.00 and $1.25 values 69 c Special at ..... 75¢ Values. 59 c Special at . ... Extra Heavy Cotton Mops that sell today at 25¢ each. Extra Special m o Yc Good Size Gray Enamel Ware in Tea and Coffee Pots Worth 25c, Extra Special lsc Extra Special in Tinware extra large size Tin Dish Pans, worth 19c¢. Special 9 c AT Knives, Forks and poons Plated Knives, Forks and Spoons, worth 10c each. Special at 5 c each S S eeel 3c There are hundreds other good useful items to be - Tea Spoons. Special at,, each found on our bargain tables at less than cost. Come in and look them over. 398,214, a gain of 47,945 miles. So Jarge and so general has been the usage of facilities however, that equal- ly extensive plans are required for 1917 in order that the outside plant throughout the state may at all times be equal to the demands likely to be made upon it. Profits Not So Large. As forecasted in last year's report, the enlarged program necessarily un- dertaken by the company for the year 1916 was not coupled with the increase in profits generally accruing to bus ness enterprises of a different charac- ter in which increased costs have been attended with increased selling prices. To be sure, the large number af new subscribers and the additional use of | ur toll service were reflected in a substantially increased income. This added revenue, however, was obtained under no increased prices for our ser- vice but, on the contrar: in many cases, under reduced prices, and was almost wholly offset by the extraor- dinary costs which this business, like any other business, was obliged to shoulder under the unusual conditions ihat prevailed. Rather than endeavor- ing to incre: its profits to accord with the generally recognized pros- perous condition of the times, we have been more intent upon taking every practical measure to keep our service at the highest possible stand- ard of efficiency under the exceptional demands made upon Within the limits required to preserve the finan- cial integrity of the business, and even as a vital essential to the preservation of that integrity, the management rec- ognizes that satisfactory service must be its constant aim and endeavor un- der any sort of conditions, and in pur- suing this policy it is frequently under the necessity of sacrificing profits by adopting cxceptional and costly pro- tective measures without the usual business accompaniment of compensa- tory return from customers. Without doubt the business activity in the four largest cities of Connecticut in 1916 was fully equal to that in any local- ity in the country, and if it is true that the sudden and extraordinary de- mands upon our facilities made it im- | possible for our service to remain at as high a standard as that which we had been accustomed to maintain, it is also true that the prevention of further service impairment was accomplised only by the readiness of the company to adopt every practical and avail- able means to that end. Of the items that went to make up the abnormaliy increased cost of oper- 1916, the largest was naturally that of wages. Always recoghizing that the proper and efficlent conduct of the business requires a force of contented, well paid employees, we were quick Lo realize that the increased cost of liv- ing under the conditions of the past year required special consideration of wage schedules beyond that accorded in mormal times. As a result of this ating the business during | employees, consideration special wage increases on a liberal le in all departments were voluntarily extended in addition to what might be termed normal ad- vances for increased experience and cMciency. Further, an increase of 33 per cent. in the number of employees contributed a considerable measure of abnormal expense both in the cost of training and in the lack of productive efficiency which goes hand. in hand with an inexperienced force. In further recognition of the excep- tional conditions then prevailing, the company gave bonuses at the end of the year to all employes who oa De- cember 1 had been in the service for three months. Those who had.been in the service for at least three months but less than one year received an amount equal to two weeks' pay, while those who had been in the ser- vice for one year or more received the equivalent of three weeks’ pay. Of the 3,276 employees in the service at that time 2,705 or 80 per cent. re- ceived a honus under this plan. The amount of this special payment to namely $105,128.29, was charged against the surplus, of the company, and for that reason does not appear in the statement of earnings and expenses for the year. Taxes Increased. A substantial increase in expens was that of 13.7 per cent. in taxes. A portion of this addition, namely the gross earnings tax paid to the state, re- ficcted the larger gross income of the company, while the balance was duc to new or special state and fede taxes. The total amount of taxes wa $195,467.61. Our net showing was also somewhat affected by various rate adjustments Several years ago in the larger ex- changes the company entered upon the plan of reducing the rate differen- tial between party and individual line residence service to as low a figure as possible, having for its main purpose the higher service efficiency that would be brought about from a great- er adoption of individual lines by subscribers. In recent years this plan has been extended to the other ex- changes and was completed during the past year by rate adjustments in some fifteen exchanges in the state. The program of large expenditures required the issue of $1,000,000 addi- tional stock of the company, the pro- ceeds of which was paid into the treas- ury in December. Under what appears to be the necessary continuance of that large program, it is probable that a call for a similar amount of new capital 1 be made upon the stock- holders sRmetime during 1917. By ord8§of the board of directors, JOHN W. ALLING, President. New Haven, Conn., February 6, 1917. Statistics Dec. 31, 1915 437 Dec 1916 135,504 Company Stations ..1 ‘| Employees ..... “A GAIN OF HARTFOR A MILLION TN 10TH SEMI-ANNUAL SHOE SALE IN PROGRESS 1917” FEBRUARY FURNITURE S + most pleasing. taffetas, etc. dresses, theater dresses. Among them are effective combinations of and taffeta finished with soft laces. The fabrics include chiffon, crepe de chine, “A GAIN OF A MILLION IN 1917. Seventy-Five Beautiful New Dresses IN TWENTY-THREE DIFFERENT STYLES. TAKE YOUR CHON $17.50 ANOTHER OF THOSE SPECIALS for WHICH WE ARE FAMO ‘We have just secured some of the most charming dresses have seen this season, and are putting them on sale at $17.50. great variety of styles, each one having an individual touch that chiffon, georgety georgete, voiles, p! The spring colors embraced are gold, rose, spruce blue, copp tomato red, Hague blue, maize, navy and black. You will find among them dressy afternoon Each one a rare dress bargain, frocks, even If you are tired of the Dress you The Spirit of the Coming Season is Reflected in thi NEW SPRING SERGE AND SILK DRESS That Are Now on Display. EXTENSIVE VARIETY OF SPORT and DRESS] STYLES FOR WOMEN AND MISSES VERY SPECIALLY PRICED thing new to wear, come in and look over our assortment. sure that you will find one that you will like. THE WOMEN’S APPAREL SHOP, Leonard and Herrmann Co. n are wearing and yearning for som We 165 Main S Connecting stations 2,123 1,865 Total stations ....124,560 Common battery sta- tions Magneto stations ... | Central offices .. ¥xchange circuits . | Nifles of wire 137,369 129,545 5,959 73 67,209 398,214 3,819 BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1916 Assets ..$16,734,054.23 472,779.31 | Plant .... : Supplies .. o Bills and account: celvable | Prepaid expens : | Stocks and bonds ..... Miscellaneous invest- ments ......... Cash and deposits 519,826.79 23,939.42 37,450.00 P 83,237.84 41,883.54 $17,913,171.13 Liabilities Capital stock . 5 Capital stock install- ments ........ . Bonded debt .... . Bills and accounts pay- able . .. Dividend payable Replacement resecrves. . Other reserves .. Employees’ benefit fund Premiams on ~ capital stock . . = $10,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 908,363.19 175,000.00 4,014,719.06 101,763.36 150,000.00 Surplus . $17,913,171.13 Income Statement, 1916, Operating revenues .....$4,545,493.37 Non-operating revenues . 11,095.90 Total revenues $4,556,589.27 Operation expenses $1,707,761.90 Current maintenance and depreciation Taxes 5 5 Non-operating expenses . 1,766,172.62 195,467.61 2,125.99 Total expenses .$ 885,061.1 76,003.65 .$ 809,067.50 700,000.00 TUndivided profits ..... $ 109,057.50 Net earnings . Interest Net profits Dividends Corporate Surplus Account. Balance Jan. 1, 1916 ....$ 559,100.10 Profit on sale of securities 1,687.50 “ndivided profits for year b A 109,057.50 Total ..... 669,845.10 Special bonus to ployes Miscellaneous deductions Total deductions 31. 1916 ..$ 561,394.86 L. B. BAKER, JR., General Auditor. Balance Dec, ROAD BUILDERS GATHER. Boston, Feb. 6.—The American road builders association opened its 14th annual convention here today in connection with the seventh American good roads congress. IFed- eral and state officials and highway engineers from many states were present. New Britain is represented at the convention by President 1. N. Humphrey of the board of public works, City Engineer William H. Hall and John P. Maguire, an engineering contractor. | that HOLLAND MAY NO BREAK WITH BER Food Shortage and Geograp Position Are Reasons: The Hague, via London, I°d 9:28 a. m.—It is known that land has protested strongly Germany’s decree of unrestrictes marine warfare, but the press is as to the government's action. Thy eign office refuses to give any di as to the course adopted by the ministration. The Niewe Rotterdamsche Conj while expressing the fullest confi in the government, complains tha country does not know what the st point of the administration is, Courant expresses surprise at Pres! ‘Wilson’s statement in regard to ¢ neutral powers following the exal of the United States and asks wi er the president’s expectation is b on knowledge or merely supposil It adds: “We do not 'know the att or the action of our government ruthless submarine warfare but it conceivably wew matters from )a ferent angle to that of the ‘Udg States. b The Courant then compares A ca’s abundance of grain, coal and ' with Holland’s scarcity of these ticles, all of which she must imyg A comparison also is made bet: Holland’s contiguous position to ' many, with an open eastern fron as compared with America’s rem ness from the war area and conely that the Dutch government must d sider factors which do mot exist America and which may modify § cision. Council of Ministers in Session London, Feb. 6.—Extraordi councils of the ministers were on Saturday and at noon Monday, cording to a Reuter's despatch fy The Hague. The conferenc: a tinuation of sessions not concly owing to the Jate closing of par| ment, also dealt with the devel ments in the foreign situation. T semi-officially stated that these cof cils need not cause any uneasiness, Iixtends Time For Ships. Amsterdam, via London, Feb. § The Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Cou says that several ship owners have celved the followinz telezram fi The Hague: “The naval staff announces that German admiralty has informed ti Dutch ships which had alre: left North America on February 1 English ports, will be allowed to P but cannot leave those ports witl permission.” The Courant adds that as the gram was not clear some of the owners have gone to The Hague | seek an explanation. TRENCH WHEAT FORECAS Paris, Feh. 6.—The farecat France's wheat crop is now 53,0 000 quintals from the autumn so ings and 10,000,000 to 11,000,0 quintals the spring sowing. 1 consnmption is frd ,000,000 quintals. nm 20,000,000 to 85